stair lift story: February 2011

What You Need To Know About Stair Building

Have you ever thought about how stair building is done, even just in your imagination? It's not quite too easy to imagine, right? You can get a good laugh because it's harder to put it into tangible material than create it in your mind. But not to worry, with stair building, no matter how hard it gets, like everything else, there's always a means to have it done!

Stair building is like putting your Lego parts altogether, like seeing architectural art come to rise in reality. It takes putting up with various stair parts and getting the right instruments to build a nice staircase. Normally, the works are done by the stair builder or the professional carpenter. Whether he does all the dirty work or not, your say about how the stair building goes still matters big time. In fact, you being hands on with the entire installation will be a good idea. In the future, once problems occur, like creaking stair steps and even just loose bolts and nails, you know what you'd have to do, what you have to use in order to secure the parts altogether.

Stair parts can be purchased just about anywhere. If you're a newbie in the neighborhood, the people around the community, the neighbors and local establishments can be easily asked with directions to the nearest depots and hardware. The building is important and if you need to make cuts on the expenses, at least try to do some canvassing so it would fit your budget. Other than that, you can always do online shopping and there are also stair building companies that can do the works for you!

You only have to make sure that you take advantage of the right building materials plus the right person to hire once you decide to go on with the plan of creating the stairs. Remember, it has to be a good installation. You don't always get the chance of doing stair building for your home and if ever you do, at least you'd know what to do once you decide on doing a renovation.

For more stair building options and tips, visit Stair Warehouse.

Shawn Capell is the owner of http://www.stairwarehouse.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shawn_B_Capell

Try Wooden Hand Railings and Balusters for Stylish Staircase Finish

Wood hand railings can be a stylish addition to any home. There are a lot of options available when installing a new handrail to any home. It is important to know the different parts of a wooden handrail so you can easily decide among the dozens of designs available.

Take exact measurements of the dimensions of the staircase. Keep in mind that the height of the handrail should be around 36-38 inches from the nosing (the part of the staircase tread that extends over the tread below it). There is nothing more disheartening than coming home with balusters that are too long or too short!

Balusters are the supports below the banister of the handrail. These come in many different designs that range from very thin 1 ½ inch to portly banisters-it all really depends on the style of the wood hand railing you are looking for. Also, think of the design that will best fit the overall feel of that area of the house. Elaborate Victorian balusters may not be the best fit for a contemporary home. Designs vary from the usual square baluster to more beautifully profiled balusters.

One way to go that can be quite beautiful and unique is to use iron balusters as a design complement to the wooden handrail. Iron balusters complement very dark or light wood stains equally well and can look quite classy and beautiful in any home. Iron balusters are great for outdoor staircases and decks because they last really long even in extreme weather-as opposed to wood hand railings that can crack or split when used outdoors. Make sure you go for quality balusters that will not crack under pressure and are made with good quality iron or a mix of steel and iron.

Modern architecture often features glass panel balusters that can do wonders for a small space or loft. Unlike wooden hand railings, glass is more delicate so manufacturers use a special thicker toughened glass that can withstand pressure and weight. This can be a little bit more expensive then the other options because you will have to get professionally cut glass for this type of baluster.

It comes in curved or straight options and can be custom fit for your wooden handrail. Glass panel balusters also need a support system to hold the glass in place, so that is another consideration you will have to make. Like iron railings, glass balusters can also be a good outdoor choice for decks and outdoor staircases.

You can either hire someone to measure it for you or measure it yourself using a cardboard pattern. Keep in mind that you cannot make mistakes with this kind of measurement. Unlike wood hand railings, you simply cannot resize glass by yourself.

No matter what type of baluster you choose for your wood hand railings, make sure you select banisters that easily complement any of the styles above. In any case, you should end up with wood hand railings that are elegant, beautiful and something you can be proud to show any guest in your home.

Pat Fisher is a professional carpenter and woodworking craftsman. If you'd like to get more information about hand railings you will want to visit our site at: http://www.finishcarpentryhelp.com/hand-railing.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pat_Fisher

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Some Types of Braided Rug Stair Treads To Consider

When you are looking to protect the surface of your stairs, no matter whether they have been covered with carpet or have been left bare you will have to consider a couple of effective alternatives. The reason stairs should be given a protective covering is to guard them against the wear and tear of constant traffic that will be making its way up and down the stairs. Braided rug stair treads are hard-wearing rugs that will withstand the level of traffic that will be using them and will also provide a surface that will both look good and feel good underfoot.

There are a few choices available when it comes to the types of braided rug stair treads to use.

Possibly the most commonly used are oval rugs. They will have the appearance of very small runner rugs but have been scaled down so they fit the length and breadth of each stair tread. The oval shape provides some nice rounded edges that look very effective against the square edges of each step.

The other shape that is easily sourced is the rectangular braided rug, another commonly used shape for braided rugs. Again, these rugs which look considerably like miniature area rugs are placed in the middle of the tread where they will see the most foot traffic.

The safety of those who will be walking over the stairs is the other consideration that must be factored in when buying these rugs. It is important that they do not move when the foot hits them and this can be done using one of a number of methods. The first is to use rugs that have non-slip backing applied to them. It is also possible to buy self-adhesive strips that can be applied to the underside of the rug to allow them to be quickly installed in a way that they will not move. The second is to secure them with the use of carpet nails to remove any risk that they will shift in any way.

When you set out to provide a protective covering for your home's stairs you don't have to sacrifice style or elegance and braided stair treads can supply you with both.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Garry_X_Cooper

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